Smaller and duller than the more common Emperor Dragonfly.
Dull abdomen with a black line running up the centre and blue colouration near the top.
Male: waisted abdomen; black line marking doesn’t reach the top of the abdomen.
Female: no waist; black line marking runs along the whole abdomen.
Click on an image to enlarge it.
| Latin Name | Anax parthenope |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Breeds in ponds and small lakes and can tolerate brackish water. |
| Status & Distribution | Annual migrant, first recorded 1996 in Gloucestershire; sightings are becoming more common, especially in England. Breeding first proved in Cornwall in 1999; further scattered breeding sites have been identified since then. |
| Similar Species | The more common Emperor is larger and brighter in colouration. Vagrant Emperor has brown eyes instead of blue.
|
| Species Group | Dragonflies |
| Identification Notes |
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| Flight Period |  |
| Larval Information | Same body-shape as Hawkers- long and streamlined. Aeshna have the largest larvae: 45-56mm Very similar to resident Emperor Dragonfly larvae but rarer; requires expert assistance for identification. |
